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Keyhole
Nick, a down-on-his-luck spaceman with a gambling problem and a nasty loan shark on his tail, is on a wild quest for a lost world. With his trusty buddy Egrog by his side, Nick embarks on an adventure filled with interstellar cannibals, dragons, and a poetry-obsessed AI. He soon discovers a secret that could make him and Egrog rich, but could also prove fatal. Life and death hang in the balance as Nick gambles with his last chance for salvation.
If you enjoyed the humor and suspense of Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, you'll love Keyhole.
If you enjoyed the humor and suspense of Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, you'll love Keyhole.
- GenresFictionScience Fiction
290 pages, Paperback
Published July 17, 2023
3 people are currently reading
1216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 22, 2023
3.5 star!
As someone who does not read science-fiction very often, I was skeptical, but sometimes picking up a book we would not normally read introduces us into new worlds and surprises us.
And let me tell you I was surprised!
To be honest, this story was pretty darn funny and cute. I loved the descriptions, the creatures and beings that we met and found during the adventure, and I enjoyed that the story kept moving.
With it being a science-fiction book, I wanted movement and adventure, and George was able to offer that.
There were a lot of little things in this book that pulled me in and encouraged me to follow along on this journey. For example, Nick is a very literal person; which makes him almost…embarrassing to watch. But also enjoyable 😉
You say, “cat got your tongue” and he would express that, no there is no cat on his tongue.
Maybe not the humor for everyone, but something I was able to enjoy.
In the end, I wanted to know if this group of off-beat adventures would really come out in the end and oh my, the ending was a delight.
I would say, if you enjoy humor like Futurama or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, this would definitely be a story for you! The humor is enjoyable, goofy, weird, and as I said, a delight.
So, in the end, I would give this lovely crew a 3.5!
As someone who does not read science-fiction very often, I was skeptical, but sometimes picking up a book we would not normally read introduces us into new worlds and surprises us.
And let me tell you I was surprised!
To be honest, this story was pretty darn funny and cute. I loved the descriptions, the creatures and beings that we met and found during the adventure, and I enjoyed that the story kept moving.
With it being a science-fiction book, I wanted movement and adventure, and George was able to offer that.
There were a lot of little things in this book that pulled me in and encouraged me to follow along on this journey. For example, Nick is a very literal person; which makes him almost…embarrassing to watch. But also enjoyable 😉
You say, “cat got your tongue” and he would express that, no there is no cat on his tongue.
Maybe not the humor for everyone, but something I was able to enjoy.
In the end, I wanted to know if this group of off-beat adventures would really come out in the end and oh my, the ending was a delight.
I would say, if you enjoy humor like Futurama or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, this would definitely be a story for you! The humor is enjoyable, goofy, weird, and as I said, a delight.
So, in the end, I would give this lovely crew a 3.5!
September 3, 2023
"Nerdection Must Read"
Fans of Ringworld, Doctor Who, Star Trek, and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the big hitters in this shared realm, will be equally as entertained by George Morrison’s ‘Keyhole’. It’s got a number of elements sci-fi enthusiasts have grown to love: artificial intelligence, the presence of extraterrestrials, philosophy inclusive of technoethics and space exploration to name but a few. Whilst belonging to a genre that is often intellectually intimidating to a lot of casual readers, ‘Keyhole’ has managed to include scientific material explained in a way that is easier for a layman to digest without dumbing down the information too much so that it still appeals to veterans of this type of fiction.
Giving a full admission in his author biography over his penchant for goofy humor, his partiality is well represented in this book; enough is included to make you crack a smile at least every other chapter. From the running gag starring Nick and his inability to decipher earthling figures of speech to a couple of racy innuendos, through this feature in conjunction with the affable characters George Morrison has created, the essence of this story is communicated to the readers. While book covers aren’t a precise metric of judgment on the quality of a book, the quirky illustration on the front of this book gives readers a very accurate first impression of what to expect and this first impression is corroborated by the following 260 odd pages that follow. It is a lighthearted story. It is a palette cleanser from the build up of turbulence of everyday life. Flipping through the pages melts away any tension carried over from your previous activity, and instantly, your attention is snatched up and held firmly by the buoyant tale unfolding before you. Everything about this book is fun! And playful! It appeases the inner child’s thirst for action and adventure while catering to more adult themes as well.
At its core, fiction—with emphasis on the speculative subcategory—functions as an escape from reality and Mr. Morrison has done a phenomenal job of plucking us out of our current environment and whisking us across galaxies to far off planets so very different from the one we inhabit every time we clock in for a leisurely read.
Fans of Ringworld, Doctor Who, Star Trek, and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the big hitters in this shared realm, will be equally as entertained by George Morrison’s ‘Keyhole’. It’s got a number of elements sci-fi enthusiasts have grown to love: artificial intelligence, the presence of extraterrestrials, philosophy inclusive of technoethics and space exploration to name but a few. Whilst belonging to a genre that is often intellectually intimidating to a lot of casual readers, ‘Keyhole’ has managed to include scientific material explained in a way that is easier for a layman to digest without dumbing down the information too much so that it still appeals to veterans of this type of fiction.
Giving a full admission in his author biography over his penchant for goofy humor, his partiality is well represented in this book; enough is included to make you crack a smile at least every other chapter. From the running gag starring Nick and his inability to decipher earthling figures of speech to a couple of racy innuendos, through this feature in conjunction with the affable characters George Morrison has created, the essence of this story is communicated to the readers. While book covers aren’t a precise metric of judgment on the quality of a book, the quirky illustration on the front of this book gives readers a very accurate first impression of what to expect and this first impression is corroborated by the following 260 odd pages that follow. It is a lighthearted story. It is a palette cleanser from the build up of turbulence of everyday life. Flipping through the pages melts away any tension carried over from your previous activity, and instantly, your attention is snatched up and held firmly by the buoyant tale unfolding before you. Everything about this book is fun! And playful! It appeases the inner child’s thirst for action and adventure while catering to more adult themes as well.
At its core, fiction—with emphasis on the speculative subcategory—functions as an escape from reality and Mr. Morrison has done a phenomenal job of plucking us out of our current environment and whisking us across galaxies to far off planets so very different from the one we inhabit every time we clock in for a leisurely read.
August 16, 2023
Did you like unlocking the humor in Mercury Falls? The Space Team series, perhaps? Or even (dare I say it) HHGTTG?
Then you're in luck; Keyhole will accept your key. (ta dum, dum)
This is outer-space sci-fi presented as a farce - slapstick comedy. So at first, you're going to need to get comfortable with corny. There are creatures that are amoeba-like blobs, insect- or crab-like, and even the misfit human. They eat things like glorpburgers, waffle-fries, and drink glurb ale. There's a planet called Ugh, or something like that. Don't let it put you off; this isn't a children's book (though children can safely read it).
The main protagonist has a problem - he gambles, and loses. A lot. This puts him in a predicament with his bookie. And, of course, he has a friend who has a scheme to surely designed to make them both rich. And of course, even the protagonist knows it's probably ill-fated, but … what choice does he have anyway but to undertake it?
The result is … well, space humor.
In the process, though, are some fun things. The author floats, and tries to answer (kinda) questions about societies. "Why do you still have crime in an advanced civilization? I'd think you would have that figured out by now." Or, why do earthlings think God exists? In both cases, proofs (not super deep, but good enough for the story) are presented that are plausible, but presented in service of the story. (So, while my Christian antennae were up for a while, worried this book would be making fun of my faith, in the end I don't have a problem with this here.)
Plus, the author throws out a few easter eggs that well-read sci-fi fans will smile about. In an effort to avoid spoilers, I'll just say that Star Trek and HHGTTG are both represented.
There's even a little poetry at the end that - while criticized by the characters - is actually pretty good.
So, this isn't a galaxy building novel by Iain Banks that you read when you want something meaty. This is a book you can dash through in a day, smile, have fun, write a good review, and move on satisfied.
By my rating criteria, this is between a 3-4. But since I'm a hard grader, consider that a "good" rating!
Then you're in luck; Keyhole will accept your key. (ta dum, dum)
This is outer-space sci-fi presented as a farce - slapstick comedy. So at first, you're going to need to get comfortable with corny. There are creatures that are amoeba-like blobs, insect- or crab-like, and even the misfit human. They eat things like glorpburgers, waffle-fries, and drink glurb ale. There's a planet called Ugh, or something like that. Don't let it put you off; this isn't a children's book (though children can safely read it).
The main protagonist has a problem - he gambles, and loses. A lot. This puts him in a predicament with his bookie. And, of course, he has a friend who has a scheme to surely designed to make them both rich. And of course, even the protagonist knows it's probably ill-fated, but … what choice does he have anyway but to undertake it?
The result is … well, space humor.
In the process, though, are some fun things. The author floats, and tries to answer (kinda) questions about societies. "Why do you still have crime in an advanced civilization? I'd think you would have that figured out by now." Or, why do earthlings think God exists? In both cases, proofs (not super deep, but good enough for the story) are presented that are plausible, but presented in service of the story. (So, while my Christian antennae were up for a while, worried this book would be making fun of my faith, in the end I don't have a problem with this here.)
Plus, the author throws out a few easter eggs that well-read sci-fi fans will smile about. In an effort to avoid spoilers, I'll just say that Star Trek and HHGTTG are both represented.
There's even a little poetry at the end that - while criticized by the characters - is actually pretty good.
So, this isn't a galaxy building novel by Iain Banks that you read when you want something meaty. This is a book you can dash through in a day, smile, have fun, write a good review, and move on satisfied.
By my rating criteria, this is between a 3-4. But since I'm a hard grader, consider that a "good" rating!
September 15, 2023
Targeting sci-fi enthusiasts, “Keyhole” by George Morrison presents a breathtaking space opera that follows friends who go on a nonstop adventure in a foreign land, whose dwellers are ferocious man-eaters.
Nick is a gambler who has received an unusual guest, Urk’s top debt collector, Durkin. Promises to pay Urk’s credits fall on deaf ears as the massive thug grabs him by the neck, squeezing it hard. His next paycheck wouldn’t cover what he owed to Urk, and everybody knew what happened to people who failed to pay their debts. He hilariously states that,
…it was hard to think that anything could be worse than a beating from a neural whip, but people disappeared without explanation, and the local organ banks never seemed short of material.
Days later his job is terminated on grounds of thievery by the Vagabond ship’s engineer. Nick believes that the engineer is the one who stole four cases of bivalve oil, but knowing of Nick’s heavy debts made the latter an easy scapegoat. A visit to a nearby pub fosters a meeting with Egrog, an amorphous being from the planet Gob who offers him a chance at redemption. Nick is caught up between two options- go outside and wait for one of the local thugs to cut his throat or call Egrog to get more information regarding the opportunity. Reflecting on what Urk’s guys would do to him, Nick chooses to take the chance and face the lesser devils on his journey to reprieve- the vicious cannibals of Grunt.
“Keyhole” by George Morrison is a page-turner that will keep a reader awake all night owing to the banger opening, fast pace, and the constant stomach-dropping plunge into new revelations. The tension ratchets up as clues materialize along the read, drawing readers to forget they are reading and instead realize they are thinking!
Morrison is an author who will shift your mind regarding sci-fi to a whole new level of deep longing and delight that will stay for ages. His book is simple but carries complex themes, cordial characters, and a plot-heavy narrative. Uniting the author’s strong background in science with his love of the Great Lakes has indeed helped weave a book filled with the delightfully unreal.
Nick is a gambler who has received an unusual guest, Urk’s top debt collector, Durkin. Promises to pay Urk’s credits fall on deaf ears as the massive thug grabs him by the neck, squeezing it hard. His next paycheck wouldn’t cover what he owed to Urk, and everybody knew what happened to people who failed to pay their debts. He hilariously states that,
…it was hard to think that anything could be worse than a beating from a neural whip, but people disappeared without explanation, and the local organ banks never seemed short of material.
Days later his job is terminated on grounds of thievery by the Vagabond ship’s engineer. Nick believes that the engineer is the one who stole four cases of bivalve oil, but knowing of Nick’s heavy debts made the latter an easy scapegoat. A visit to a nearby pub fosters a meeting with Egrog, an amorphous being from the planet Gob who offers him a chance at redemption. Nick is caught up between two options- go outside and wait for one of the local thugs to cut his throat or call Egrog to get more information regarding the opportunity. Reflecting on what Urk’s guys would do to him, Nick chooses to take the chance and face the lesser devils on his journey to reprieve- the vicious cannibals of Grunt.
“Keyhole” by George Morrison is a page-turner that will keep a reader awake all night owing to the banger opening, fast pace, and the constant stomach-dropping plunge into new revelations. The tension ratchets up as clues materialize along the read, drawing readers to forget they are reading and instead realize they are thinking!
Morrison is an author who will shift your mind regarding sci-fi to a whole new level of deep longing and delight that will stay for ages. His book is simple but carries complex themes, cordial characters, and a plot-heavy narrative. Uniting the author’s strong background in science with his love of the Great Lakes has indeed helped weave a book filled with the delightfully unreal.
February 11, 2024
A Fun Read
Keyhole is a hilarious and captivating adventure that had me hooked from start to finish. The novel follows Nick, an alien with a gambling problem who finds himself in deep trouble with a thug, and his subsequent journey to find a fabled planet of eternal life to get rich and solve his problems.
As Nick races for his life, he unexpectedly reunites with an old friend, setting off a thrilling adventure filled with twists and turns. Along the way, they encounter a diverse cast of alien characters, each adding their own unique flavor to the story.
Morrison’s skillful writing shines through in the humorous and heartwarming interactions between Nick, his companions, and especially between 32, the AI unit, and Mindy, the sole human character. The conversations between them add a delightful charm to the narrative that kept me thoroughly entertained.
The search for the planet holding the secret to eternal life not only drives the plot forward but also leads to moments of self-discovery and bonding among the characters. As Nick’s journey unfolds, Morrison’s imaginative world-building comes to life, offering vivid depictions of alien landscapes and intriguing locales. I particularly enjoyed the simple yet effective analogies, such as comparing the futuristic setting to familiar places like Bombay slums, which make the world feel both relatable and fantastical.
Overall, I love “Keyhole”, it is an exciting and humorous adventure that I think it will keep readers hooked until the very end. With its clever dialogues and unexpected plot twists, George Morrison delivers a fun-read for anyone in search of an entertaining escape.
Keyhole is a hilarious and captivating adventure that had me hooked from start to finish. The novel follows Nick, an alien with a gambling problem who finds himself in deep trouble with a thug, and his subsequent journey to find a fabled planet of eternal life to get rich and solve his problems.
As Nick races for his life, he unexpectedly reunites with an old friend, setting off a thrilling adventure filled with twists and turns. Along the way, they encounter a diverse cast of alien characters, each adding their own unique flavor to the story.
Morrison’s skillful writing shines through in the humorous and heartwarming interactions between Nick, his companions, and especially between 32, the AI unit, and Mindy, the sole human character. The conversations between them add a delightful charm to the narrative that kept me thoroughly entertained.
The search for the planet holding the secret to eternal life not only drives the plot forward but also leads to moments of self-discovery and bonding among the characters. As Nick’s journey unfolds, Morrison’s imaginative world-building comes to life, offering vivid depictions of alien landscapes and intriguing locales. I particularly enjoyed the simple yet effective analogies, such as comparing the futuristic setting to familiar places like Bombay slums, which make the world feel both relatable and fantastical.
Overall, I love “Keyhole”, it is an exciting and humorous adventure that I think it will keep readers hooked until the very end. With its clever dialogues and unexpected plot twists, George Morrison delivers a fun-read for anyone in search of an entertaining escape.
October 29, 2023
Delightful!
What a fun little gem this book is. It's a light read featuring an odd group thrown together on a quest with dubious legal shadings. The science used is solid but explained in layman's terms. With nods to every thing from classic Star Trek to Buckaroo Banzai, there's loads of Easter eggs to run across. Fans of Terry Pratchett's Discworld Series and The Hitchhiker's Guide can slide comfortably into the adventures of Nick and Egrog and the crew they gather along the way. Futuristic elements such as harmonic disruptor guns are intuitively described and never jarring. Some of the dialog and character interactions can be a bit stilted--for instance, characters tend to appear at someone's elbow and literally say, 'Hi, I'm so-and-so'. But the story is well-written and imaginative, and always, always fun. As a writer of humorous, smart-alecky sci-fi myself this was right up my alley and I loved reading it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I'll for sure seek out more from this author, and I'd love to read any sequels!
What a fun little gem this book is. It's a light read featuring an odd group thrown together on a quest with dubious legal shadings. The science used is solid but explained in layman's terms. With nods to every thing from classic Star Trek to Buckaroo Banzai, there's loads of Easter eggs to run across. Fans of Terry Pratchett's Discworld Series and The Hitchhiker's Guide can slide comfortably into the adventures of Nick and Egrog and the crew they gather along the way. Futuristic elements such as harmonic disruptor guns are intuitively described and never jarring. Some of the dialog and character interactions can be a bit stilted--for instance, characters tend to appear at someone's elbow and literally say, 'Hi, I'm so-and-so'. But the story is well-written and imaginative, and always, always fun. As a writer of humorous, smart-alecky sci-fi myself this was right up my alley and I loved reading it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I'll for sure seek out more from this author, and I'd love to read any sequels!
August 14, 2023
Note that I do not normally read sci-fi, and that I am currently working my way out of a slump. Also, thank you to Goodreads giveaway that I won.
I’m giving this three stars because I didn’t really feel connected to the character or the storyline in anyway. There was a point where I literally thought someone died and I was just like “OK sure”.
I feel like it started off well, and then I kind of lost interest. I was really interested in the story and seeing where it went and I think about 22% in was where I drifted off.
Two new characters were added, and I really could not tell you the difference between them or anything about their personalities, and that is probably a me problem.
Once again, this is not a reflection completely on the book I recommend reading the books to get your own thoughts because I am so unreliable at the moment. And thank you to the giveaway that I won.
I’m giving this three stars because I didn’t really feel connected to the character or the storyline in anyway. There was a point where I literally thought someone died and I was just like “OK sure”.
I feel like it started off well, and then I kind of lost interest. I was really interested in the story and seeing where it went and I think about 22% in was where I drifted off.
Two new characters were added, and I really could not tell you the difference between them or anything about their personalities, and that is probably a me problem.
Once again, this is not a reflection completely on the book I recommend reading the books to get your own thoughts because I am so unreliable at the moment. And thank you to the giveaway that I won.
October 20, 2023
I do not think I have ever read a science fiction book before, but I loved this one! I really appreciate that the author did not make things so complicated that I couldn't follow along. I read this sci-fi with ease and enjoyed the unique story. I love the humor in this book! It had me laughing frequently and who doesn't like to laugh? The story is one of a kind. The main character even more unique. He is in a heap of trouble and the only way to get out of it is by risking his life to pay off his debts. I found the question of whether you want to involuntarily donate an organ or risk your entire life doing something dangerous interesting. I also loved that this was an ending I could not predict!
October 30, 2023
This is a fun, light, silly, slightly goofy book. It poses questions like 'is God real?' and 'in an advanced society why is there still crime?' which may sound like heavy reading material, but don't worry, there is very little thinking needed here. The characters are interesting and the plot has enough excitement and surprises to keep you reading without getting bored. It moves at a good pace and you will find that it will not take you very long to read. If you like comic science fiction this is worth a look. It would be a good choice when you just want to be entertained without putting a lot of work or thought into it. I enjoyed it and I think if you like science fiction and fun you will too.
November 24, 2023
If you liked Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy or FKU USA, check this book out. Keyhole is a light-hearted sci-fi romp. For the science nerds out there (with whom I humbly include myself), there are little nuggets scattered throughout the book to geek out on. But if that isn’t your bag, the sciency stuff only lasts a paragraph or two, isn’t integral to the plot, and can be easily skimmed over to still enjoy the superficial playfulness of the book. If you’re looking for a light, easy sci-fi read with a dash of cheek, this book is for you.
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January 3, 2024George Morrison ’77
Author
From the author:
Keyhole is humorous science fiction about a down-on-his-luck spaceman’s quest for a lost world.
Nick, a hapless alien with a gambling problem and a nasty loan shark on his tail, is on a wild quest for a lost world.
With his trusty buddy Egrog by his side, Nick embarks on an adventure filled with interstellar cannibals, dragons, and a poetry-obsessed AI. He soon discovers a secret that could make him and Egrog rich but could also prove fatal. Life and death hang in the balance as Nick gambles with his last chance for salvation.
Author
From the author:
Keyhole is humorous science fiction about a down-on-his-luck spaceman’s quest for a lost world.
Nick, a hapless alien with a gambling problem and a nasty loan shark on his tail, is on a wild quest for a lost world.
With his trusty buddy Egrog by his side, Nick embarks on an adventure filled with interstellar cannibals, dragons, and a poetry-obsessed AI. He soon discovers a secret that could make him and Egrog rich but could also prove fatal. Life and death hang in the balance as Nick gambles with his last chance for salvation.
July 9, 2024
3 stars
Unfortunately, I don't think I'm the best reader for this book. It is very similar in tone and style of plot as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. If you are a fan of Douglas Adams, I think you will enjoy this book!
I am a fan of scifi, and love a narrator with humor, but snarky quippy humor is not my cup of tea.
Unfortunately, I don't think I'm the best reader for this book. It is very similar in tone and style of plot as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. If you are a fan of Douglas Adams, I think you will enjoy this book!
I am a fan of scifi, and love a narrator with humor, but snarky quippy humor is not my cup of tea.
September 6, 2023
I have always prided myself on finishing any book I started. I made it over halfway though but am making an exception for this book. The characters are unreliable and stereotypes. The dialogue is forced and artificial. The plot is weak. It simply is not worth finishing.
December 18, 2023
This was a delightful and completely goofy space adventure that even people who don't like SciFi would enjoy
Note: I won a free copy of the book through goodreads, and I'm super happy that I did :)
Note: I won a free copy of the book through goodreads, and I'm super happy that I did :)
February 28, 2024
This book was a fun romp though the keyhole. Nick the gambler always seemed to find himself leaping from the frying pan into the fire. It didn't matter if he's was with a talking amoeba, a sentient AI, or a cannon wielding dragon, either. Nick always found trouble.
March 30, 2025
It was my first ever sci-fi and it shows. 😅 It wasn’t a bad book, it’s just not my genre. That being said, I liked the characters and the different species the book introduced, the story was adventurous and action-packed.
2.5 ⭐️ rounded up
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
2.5 ⭐️ rounded up
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews